The last weekend in November there is a good craft show at the O'Connell Center. Also, the last weekend in September there is one at the United Methodist Church--the show is called the Possum Creek Craft Festival--or something close to that! Either of these places you could meet up with local crafters.Jackie

There are two Jo-Ann fabrics stores over on the west side of town, should you need supplies. But a lot of the serious crafters live in some of the nearby towns like Ocala and even Ichetucknee.

It is a great little town to live in, though, if you stay away from the dirty student bars. While you're there, do yourself a favor and 1) go tubing down the Ichetuknee River, 2) Go see Devil's Millhopper, and 3) Go watch the sun rise from the lookout on Payne's Prarie. There's nothing quite like those anywhere else. Also, don't miss the friends of the library book sale, or the many fantastic thrift stores.

i haven't lived in gainesville in a few years (spent 21years there), but there used to be a great yarn store in a little strip center on the corner of nw 13th avenue and nw 16th avenue. can't remember the name of it, but there is also a tennis shop and an education kids store in the same plaza. the ladies there are great.

i second the other poster's suggestions of devil's millhopper, tubing, and payne's prairie. i would also add going to micanopy and high springs. high springs has a couple of great restaurants and local artist galleries/workshops. it's also on the way to ginnie springs and blue spring. micanopy has great antique stores and wonderful food.

I live in Gainesville, and I just discovered Crafts 'N Stuff. It's near Circuit City and Home Depot on Tower Road. This is my new favorite craft store in town. They don't have much fabric, but their selection of decorative paper and other crafty items puts Michael's and Joann's to shame.

I am in Gainesville, too! I have been trying to find crocheters and have so far found one through meetup.com. Also, I just read in the paper about a Feminist Knitting and Crochet group that meets on campus on Tuesdays.

Xiolagrl, unfortunately the yarn shop you speak of is gone. There is one farther up 13th called yarnworks that I have not been to yet.

Maybe we could get together sometime to knit or crochet! I am trying to elearn to crochet but am having the hardest time. Yarnworks is a great store ande occassionally they have these great sales on Staurdays where you can get a skein of yarn for 75 cents!